Abstract:

The issue of biodiversity conservation was set at Rio de Janeiro in 1992 when the UN adopted the Convention on Biodiversity. Agricultural biodiversity is an essential element of biodiversity. European Union adopted a series of directives in order to reduce genetic erosion which is more and more accented on cultivated plants. Between 2005 and 2010, at USAMV Cluj-Napoca, were undertaken activities for identifying vegetable landraces from 20 counties of Romania, especially from Transylvania, Banat and Bucovina. The seeds were achieved from small seed producers. Speaking about tomatoes, were collected 35 varieties from 7 counties of Transylvania. These varieties were cultivated in field and seeds were produced. For identifying the genuine landraces, these were studied from morphological, physiological and agronomical point of view. For each landrace were studied 80 characteristics and filled in the descriptors developed by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (Rome). It came out that 28 of the 35 varieties were authentic landraces. The paper presents the main characteristics, such as: fruit weight, the dry matter and soluble carbohydrates content, resistance at black fungus and juicy yield. The seeds were given for preservation to Suceava Gene Bank. Each landrace is attended by passport description and characterization. The Gene Bank provides’ small quantities of seeds to researchers and vegetable growers. The fact of seed preservation in the Gene Bank ensures’ the safety of landraces.

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